Setting up a sole proprietorship in the Canton of St. Gallen
Setting up a sole proprietorship in Canton St. Gallen: the path to your own business.
Setting up a sole proprietorship in the Canton of St. Gallen
In the Canton of St. Gallen, renowned for its prestigious university and robust economy, starting a sole proprietorship has many advantages. The St. Gallen Trade Registry ensures efficient business registration. The region is known for its capacity for innovation, especially in the mechanical engineering, textile industry and healthcare sectors. St. Gallen has excellent infrastructure and a central location, facilitating access to national and international markets. The University of St. Gallen and the University of Applied Sciences offer valuable networking opportunities and support for start-ups. In addition, the high quality of life makes St. Gallen an attractive destination for entrepreneurs.
Set up a sole proprietorship in Canton St. Gallen: here's how to do it!
Calculate a non-binding offer
Enter your start-up project conveniently online and benefit from cost sharing from our partners. In just a few steps you can compose your customized start-up package.
Enter the data of the sole proprietorship
After calculating the non-binding offer, enter your company details. At this point you can order the incorporation of the company.
Get in touch
Our attorneys will contact you within the specified time (often less than 24 hours). You will receive all incorporation documents, discuss any uncertainties, and schedule a personal consultation.
Check the documents
You can consult, print and sign all the constituent documents at your convenience at home.
Authenticate the signature
At this point you must obtain official certification of the signature (e.g., from the local authority). This confirms that the signature is indeed yours.
Entry in the commercial register
We submit all incorporation documents to the commercial register and ensure that your company is successfully registered in the commercial register. In the case of corporations, the paid-up capital is transferred to a business account after publication and is available to your company.
Celebrate
Congratulations on the successful founding of your company. Your company is now active and can operate.
The sole proprietorship in Switzerland
We believe that personalized advice is the key to best understanding our clients' individual needs and challenges and offering tailored solutions.
Setting up a sole proprietorship: advantages
- No minimum capital required — start immediately
- Strong university ecosystem: HSG (University of St. Gallen) — top European business school
- Well-developed textile, medtech, and mechanical engineering sectors
- Excellent transport links: rail connections to Zurich, Munich, and Vorarlberg
- Active startup support through STARTFELD and HSG spin-off networks
- Moderate office costs vs. Zurich
Setting up a sole proprietorship: disadvantages
- Unlimited personal liability — private assets at risk
- Business income taxed as personal income
- Moderate cantonal tax rates — higher than Zug or Schwyz
- Competition in industrial sectors is established and intense
- Smaller VC and growth financing ecosystem than Zurich
- Some areas have limited public transport connectivity
What should I consider if I want to set up a sole proprietorship in Canton St. Gallen?
The family name must appear in the company name: for example, Müller Malerbetrieb or Keller Montagen, but the company name must not be misleading or descriptive. Company names such as Rudolf Stahlhandel AG are therefore not allowed if the company does not trade in steel.
Business registration is generally optional up to a turnover of 100,000 Swiss francs. However, entry in the commercial register is recommended in any case. The excerpt from the commercial register is always very useful: for example, for opening a bank account, for opening a P.O. box or a safe deposit box, in international trade, for one's telephone connection, and much more.
The following points must be observed when collecting retirement benefits: You must be able to credibly prove to the relevant compensation office that you will be self-employed. To do this, you must fill out the attached AVS form and attach appropriate evidence, such as three offers to potential clients, three invoices already issued to clients and a business plan for your project.
To apply to the pension fund, a neat file with all forms and documents should be prepared. If possible, it is advisable to make an appointment with the relevant authority and bring the file in person or appear in person at the compensation fund. Experience shows that in this way the authorities have more confidence in your project and your application has a better chance of success.
Useful information about the sole proprietorship
Key Facts: Sole Proprietorship in St. Gallen
- No minimum capital required.
- Owner must be a Swiss resident.
- Commercial Registry entry mandatory above CHF 100,000 annual turnover.
- Business name must include the owner's surname.
- Unlimited personal liability — private assets are at risk.
- Simplified bookkeeping allowed; income and expense records required.
- Business income taxed as personal income (St. Gallen cantonal + federal rates).
- Mandatory AHV/IV/EO registration as self-employed from day one.
- VAT registration required once revenue exceeds CHF 100,000/year.
- HSG network and STARTFELD make St. Gallen a top canton for knowledge-economy startups.